Homes games for British and Irish Lions is the way forward - Sir Graham Henry

World Cup former England coach Sir Clive Woodward wants British and Irish Lions to consider playing home games in their future series.

Woodward was a playing member in the Lions squad during the 1980 and 1983 tour of South Africa and New Zealand respectively. Following the 2003 World Cup success with England, the 61-year-old took in charge of Lions for the New Zealand but the visitors succumbed to a 0-3 series defeat against the All Blacks.

Lions have played unofficial matches at home that includes a game against Welsh XV to mark the celebrations of 75th anniversary of the Welsh Rugby Union in 1955 and a clash against Barbarians as a part of Queen's silver jubilee celebrations in 1977.

They have also featured in home game against The Rest as a celebration match to mark the International Rugby Board's centenary in 1986 and in 1989 they played against France in Paris and in 1990 they locked horns with Rest of Europe.

However, Woodward believes having regular home fixtures will only help the tradition of Lions grow going forward.

"I wonder about having Lions Tests at home back in the British Isles," Henry told BBC Radio 5 live's Sportsweek programme.

"I wonder if that would be a possibility going forward.

"Ask the players and fans - that's what the game is about. I'm sure they would all be very positive about the Lions brand continuing and maybe expanding in the future.

"You've got to have priorities and, if the Lions is the priority, that's the way it has to be."

With the 2019 World Cup around the corner and the global calendar to follow, questions have been raised on the future of Lions but Woodward believes such a competition is fantastic for the game and needs to be preserved.

"There's talk over here, maybe coming from over there, about the future of Lions tours," Henry said.

"But these Test matches are like World Cup finals and semi-finals as we've seen the two best teams in the world playing against each other.

"It's been really stimulating for the All Blacks. They only get one chance to play against the Lions and it's the pinnacle of their careers.

"It used to be same for the Lions and I assume it's still the pinnacle of their career to get selected for a Lions tour.

"It's great for the game and it's great for the Lions brand.

"I just hope the people who make the decisions make the right ones and keep the Lions brand moving on."

Lions with their 21-24 win in Wellington have brought an end to a dominating record at home for All Blacks, who registered their first defeat in nine years and the two teams are set to lock horns once again for the decider in Auckland on Saturday.

Woodward lavished praise on Lions head coach Warren Gatland and insists he has the potential to replace Steve Hansen as coach of All Blacks in the future.

"Warren's done a great job in getting them all together and he's possibly a future All Blacks coach," Henry said.

"He's one of the most experienced coaches in the world, he's had a long run with Wales and won a couple of Six Nations.

"He's been with the Lions for some time and done exceptionally well.

"The All Blacks are currently the world champions and ranked number one in the world.

"So to beat the All Blacks at home with a side which has had very little rugby together would be an astronomical achievement."